Game Procedures

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During the Week:

Review the Laws of the Game and USA Rugby Game Management Guidelines.

Contact the club contact at least forty-eight hours prior to your match to check for possible changes in the game time or location. Please inform Pete Smith if there are any conflicts or game cancellations.

If you are assigned to a First Division second side match, you are also be expected to run touch as a team of "two" for the first side match. 

Pre-Game Ritual:

1. Arrive at the field at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.
2. Introduce yourself to the home team game official (coach, captain, or other).
3. Have the team officials fill out their section of the match card, including the non-residence status and CIPP Number.
4. Inspect the field with the home club official to ensure compliance with the NCRFU Match Protocol.
5. Check boots, pads, headgear, etc. See 12/31/00 USA Rugby directive
6. Meet with the Front Rows
6. Meet with captains for coin toss (winner gets right to kick or choose a side; if winner chooses a side, the loser kicks).
7. Instruct the touch judges.
8. Get the match started on time.

In case of a player sent off or sin-binned (red card or yellow card), be sure to report it on the match card and email ncrfudc@gmail.com no later than noon two days after the match, which is normally the next Tuesday. Read the NCRFU directive on reporting. In event of a serious incident, in addition immediately notify Bruce Carter.

Match Cards:

For ALL MATCHES: Have both teams fill in their rosters before the game and secure the card. After the match, fill in the result along with any disciplinary actions taken, sign it, and mail it in as soon as you can. It's a good idea to take it to the game with a stamp already on it and then drop it in the first mailbox that you see afterwards.

Please bear in mind that when you sign the card you are not attesting to the validity of the information that the teams wrote on the card. You are merely attesting to what you wrote on the card and to the fact that the names, as listed, were already there when you signed it. Match cards are to be used for all collegiate, women's, and men's matches in Northern California RFU. They can be downloaded at Match Card (pdf) or Match Card (word).

Photo IDs:

The NCRFU requires copies of photo IDs of all Men's First Division players.  They are to be presented prior to the start of the match to the opposing team's officials to verify the names on the match card.  Lack of photo IDs or a challenge of player's identity should be noted on the match card.  It is not the referee's duty to verify Photo IDs.

This page was last updated on January 11, 2010